Socceroos star suffers another injury setback
Anna Harrington |
Socceroos gun Jackson Irvine has suffered a setback in his recovery from foot surgery, his return delayed by a quad injury.
Irvine suffered the injury in April and then had surgery, which ruled him out of World Cup qualifiers against Japan and Saudi Arabia.
He missed September’s friendlies against New Zealand, and isn’t fit for Saturday’s game against Canada or next Wednesday’s clash with the United States.
The Socceroos had hoped to have FC St Pauli captain Irvine available for the November window – a timeline that coach Tony Popovic conceded now likely needed to be pushed back.
“Jackson had a little bit of a setback a couple of weeks ago,” Popovic said.
“He was on the bench for his team and had a bit of a setback in part of the warm-up with a little niggle with his quad.
“So that’s kind of set him back a couple of weeks, where I’m sure he would have been available for the November window.
“But now really we have to go day by day and week by week and see whether he can get some continuity in his training and get some game time and be available for his club.
“If so, we’d love to welcome him back because it’s been a while since we’ve seen him. We’re hopeful for November, but after this little setback I’m not sure how realistic that is.”
It is a hit to Australia’s lengthy World Cup build-up after Irvine starred in Popovic’s first six qualifiers in charge, scoring three goals and notching an assist.
Off the field, St Pauli stepped in after one of their board members made critical comments about Irvine on social media, which were called out by his wife Jemilla Pir.
The club later said the board member had apologised to Irvine via a letter.
Elsewhere, defender Harry Souttar is still working through his rehabilitation from an achilles tear.
“When it’s around the achilles, you have to be really careful,” Popovic said.
“I think he’s being very diligent in his rehabilitation. We’d love to have him back, of course, I’m sure his club would as well.
“But he’s going through the protocol required to hopefully come back and stay fit and healthy and be a good option for his club and obviously for his country.”
Popovic allayed concerns around striker Mohamed Toure, who came off with a shoulder injury in Danish club Randers’ game on Sunday night.
“He fell awkwardly and the medical staff over there and Mo himself have assured us that he’ll be fine,” he said.
“Not just for the game, but in a couple of days he’ll be able to train.”
Fullback Fran Karacic has withdrawn through injury, with uncapped defender Jacob Italiano receiving his first call-up.
AAP
